The PCB decided to limit matches to Lahore and Karachi, dropping Peshawar, Multan, Rawalpindi, and Faisalabad from the schedule in a bid to conserve fuel and other critical resources.
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi (Photo Source: X)
The Pakistan Super League will go ahead as scheduled from March 26, but matches will be played behind closed doors at just two venues due to the ongoing West Asia conflict, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi confirmed on Sunday.
Following consultations with franchises and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the PCB decided to limit matches to Lahore and Karachi, dropping Peshawar, Multan, Rawalpindi, and Faisalabad from the schedule in a bid to conserve fuel and other critical resources.
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“Pakistan Super League will start as per schedule on March 26 as we have to safeguard its credibility and there was no window to stage it later,” Naqvi said during a press conference in Lahore.
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MOHSIN NAQVI BIG DECISIONS FOR PSL 2026
– PSL 2026 starts on March 26, only in Lahore & Karachi.
– No crowd matches until the fuel crisis ends.
– Opening ceremony cancelled.PSL 2026 = Low budget, no crowd, crisis mode cricket.pic.twitter.com/qZtmVeYHly
— Sam (@Cricsam01) March 22, 2026
With fuel supplies tightly regulated, the league will also be held without spectators, leading Naqvi to apologise to fans, especially in Peshawar, which was set to host PSL matches for the first time.
“I apologise to the fans of Peshawar who were due to watch the PSL matches for the first time and hope they get more matches next time,” he said.
The opening ceremony has also been scrapped to further reduce resource consumption.
Naqvi added that most overseas players are expected to arrive by Monday, despite earlier concerns over travel disruptions through the Gulf region. He also issued a stern warning, stating that legal action could be taken against foreign players who skip their PSL commitments in favour of the Indian Premier League.
Notably, Blessing Muzarabani and Dasun Shanaka recently opted to join IPL teams after signing PSL contracts.
To offset financial losses from empty stands, the PCB confirmed that franchises will be compensated for the lack of gate revenue.
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